Sliding Battery Tray Latch With Automatic Cam Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current battery attachment apparatuses require manual release operations for latches, increasing the number of components and complicating battery exchange processes.
Innovation Solution
A battery attachment apparatus with a slide rail base and a fixing pin for cam rotation, incorporating a latch, spring, and link rod to automatically switch between locked and unlocked states via a sliding mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual release operation mechanism (such as a lever) is added to release the latch, then the latch can be released, but the number of components increases and the operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism automatically releases itself through the cam rotation caused by sliding the placing table, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The spring-driven latch self-actuates when the cam profile engages with the fixing pin during sliding motion, making the system self-serving without requiring additional release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam acts as an intermediary element that translates the sliding motion of the placing table into rotational motion of the latch, which then triggers the automatic release. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for direct manual operation while reducing overall system complexity compared to adding dedicated release levers or actuators.
2Ease of operation
If a manual release operation mechanism (such as a lever) is added to release the latch, then the latch can be released, but the battery exchange process becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The latch automatically releases itself through the cam rotation caused by sliding the placing table, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The spring-driven latch self-actuates when the cam profile engages with the fixing pin during sliding motion, making the system self-serving without requiring additional release mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam profile is pre-designed to engage with the fixing pin at specific positions during the sliding motion, automatically triggering the latch release before the battery exchange operation completes. This preliminary automatic action streamlines the process by preparing the latch release in advance without requiring separate manual steps.
3Extent of automation
If the latch is designed to be automatically released by sliding the placing table, then manual operations are reduced, but a cam mechanism is required
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism serves multiple functions: it guides the sliding motion of the placing table, triggers the latch release, and maintains structural support during the exchange process. By making the cam multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated release mechanisms, thereby achieving automation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism is integrated with the existing slide rail base structure, combining the guidance function and the latch release trigger function into a single unified component. This merging approach achieves automatic latch release while minimizing the increase in device complexity by reusing and integrating existing structural elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easier battery exchange by automating the lock/unlock process, reducing the need for manual operations and simplifying the mechanism, especially suitable for battery exchange systems using robots.
Implementation Method 1
a spring and a link rod configured to connect the latch and the first cam, and in which the spring includes a first end connected to the latch and a second end connected to the link rod in a swingable manner such that a pulling force is exerted on the first end side
Implementation Method 2
a first cam configured to rotate by coming into contact with the fixing pin when the placing table slides
Data Source
AI summary
Battery attachment apparatus 1 according to the present disclosure includes placing table 10 on which battery E is placed, and slide rail base 20 that supports placing table 10 in a slidable manner. Placing table 10 includes latch 11 including hook 11b, spring 12 that applies a pulling force to the second end side of latch 11, link rod 14 connected to spring 12, and release cam 15 that is rotatably connected to link rod 14. As placing table 10 slides with respect to slide rail base 20 and the rotation angle of release cam 15 changes, the pulling force of spring 12 changes and the engaged state between hook 11b and striker Ea changes, thus switching between the lock/unlock of the holding state of battery E.